Donald Trump speaks in Novi, draws record-breaking crowd WITH VIDEO

The Oakland Press/MONICA DRAKE
American business magnate and television personality Donald Trump spoke at the Oakland County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner on Tuesday night -- drawing the largest crowd in the event's history.

In its 124-year history, this year's Oakland County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner was, by far, the most attended.

The Novi event on Tuesday night attracted 2,300 people at between $75 and $750 per ticket, double most years' turnouts. The previous record was 1,400 last year, when presidential candidate Rick Santorum spoke. And officials gave two words as the reason for the increase in attendance -- Donald Trump.

Trump said, with a laugh, "Why didn't you get a bigger hall? (That) would have been nice."

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An active member of the Republican Party, Trump trifled with the idea of running for president against Barack Obama last year.

When asked, at a conference prior to the dinner, if he would consider running for political office, he said, "Highly unlikely."

"Everybody tells me, 'Please run for president. Please run for president.' I would be much happier if a great and competent person came along. I'd be happy if President Obama did a great job. I'm a Republican, but before anything, I love this country," said Trump. "I would love to see somebody come in who is going to be great."

Trump said he predicts that Hilary Clinton will be the Democrat's candidate in three years. He did not say who he would like to run against her though. He said he knows Clinton very well -- who is a member of his golf club -- and knows that beating her won't be an easy task.

"It seems that everybody who runs for office wants my support. I will say (the Republican Party) has to pick the right candidate because it will not be an easy election in three years," said Trump. "If they don't pick the right person, it will be a landslide."

Trump said that he supports Gov. Rick Snyder, even speaking briefly of the recent and controversial decision to appoint an emergency manager for the City of Detroit.

"Whatever it takes to make that next step. That next step is going to be critical for Detroit," he said. "I have a great feeling for Detroit, and I have a great feeling for this state. And I think the governor of this state is doing a fantastic job."

Lincoln Day Dinner Spokesman Mark Winter said this was the highest turnout of any of the Republican Party Lincoln Day dinners in the entire country.

"Love (Trump) or hate him, people want to see him," said Winter. "I think there's an entertainment factor that's different than having somebody stand up and just spout political views."

Tom Carballo, better known as the voice of the Mojo in the Morning Show on Channel 95.5, was the event's Master of Ceremonies. Other speakers included Gov. Snyder, Lincoln Club President David Trott, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, Attorney General Bill Schuette, County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, Michigan Republican Party Chairman Robert Schostak and Oakland County Republican Party Chairman Jim Thienel.

All money raised from the event at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi will go toward the Oakland County Republican Party to make investments in candidates.

Standing in front of a backdrop of an American flag, Gov. Snyder was the first to address the crowd of thousands.

"It's not just about us. Many of us are successful enough. We have a good life. But we need to give the opportunity to our young people in this state to create an environment for success. ... It is now time for Michigan to stand up and to show the rest of the country that we are great state," said Snyder, resulting in an eruption of cheers from the audience."

"There's a history in Michigan of people saying, 'Let's just keep on doing the same ol' thing.' The answer in Michigan is to recognize that our best days are not in the rearview mirror. The best days are ahead of us, looking out toward the future."